Newcastle United player ‘struggling’ after January transfer move

A Newcastle United youngster has received the backing of his captain after a tough start to his loan spell in Scotland.

Hearts' Garang Kuol holds off Rangers' Borna Barisic during the match at Tynecastle. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group)

Newcastle United youngster Garang Kuol endured something of a baptism of fire this week when he made his first start for loan club Hearts in their 3-0 home defeat against Rangers.

The Australian international officially joined the Magpies from A-League club Central Coast Mariners last month after agreeing to move to St James Park earlier this season. But it is making an impact at Tynecastle rather than Tyneside that is first and foremost on his mind after he agreed to spend the remainder of the season with Scottish Premier League club Hearts.

Hearts managed to land Garang Kuol on loan from Newcastle United. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group)

Kuol made an impact on his debut when he appeared as a late substitute in a 1-0 home win against St Mirren before making a second appearance from the bench in last weekend’s goalless draw with Livington. A first start came on Wednesday night when Rangers eased to a 3-0 win at Tynecastle thanks to a brace from Alfredo Morelos and a Malik Tillman strike.

Kuol was deployed in central midfield, despite playing in attacking roles during the early stages of a promising career, and gave away a free-kick that lef to Rangers’ first goal of the night - but he did show some of the signs why United are so enthused by the capture of the 18-year-old star.

Speaking after the game, Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland threw his support behind Kuol and insisted his time in Scotland is exactly what he needs to realise his undoubted potential.

He said: “It’s a tough night for a kid coming to a new league. The football is different and there will be a lot of learning. But he is a kid and he needs to be given time to develop. It’s a massive difference between playing under-23s football down the road and playing first team football for Hearts against Rangers.

“If you look at his career, I don’t think he has played that much first team football,” he added. “But he looks good in training, he has talent. He has not got the ‘wonderkid’ tag for no reason. The talent just needs to be nurtured to make him a first team player. And I’m sure it will be. It’s experience. Everybody needs to get it and along the way you make mistakes.”

Kuol will hope to put in an improved performance when Hearts host Dundee United on Saturday afternoon.